Metro News & Reviews

Eat, shop and play locally during Carmageddon II weekend Sept. 29-30

This is a screen grab of the new Destination Discounts interactive map to help find good deals during Carmageddon weekend. Click above to go to the map.

As many of you surely know by now, Metro and many local officials are begging you not to drive during the weekend of Sept. 29-30, when the 405 freeway will be closed between the 10 and 101. The reason: the demolition of the north side of the Mulholland Drive bridge is demolished.

Not driving, however, doesn't mean staying at home. More than 300 discounts will be available that weekend at museums, restaurants and other venues for people who take Metro buses and trains. Show your paper ticket or TAP card at the venues to get the discount.

Metro has also created a nifty interactive map to help you find discounts both in your neighborhood and across the city.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Autority (Metro) has partnered with almost 300 L.A. County restaurants, businesses, venues and tourist destinations to offer discounted “Carmageddon II” specials as part of its ongoing campaign to encourage the public to “Eat, Shop and Play Locally” September 29-30.

​The destination discounts are Metro’s latest effort to cajole motorists out of their cars during the final demolition of the Mulholland Bridge in the Sepulveda Pass, when the I-405 freeway will be closed between the I-10 and U.S. 101 all weekend.

​“Carmageddon weekend is fast approaching, and Angelenos will again face a rare and unique opportunity to enjoy a car-free weekend in Los Angeles,” said Antonio Villaraigosa, L.A. Mayor and Metro Board Member. “We want to encourage everyone who is excited about the possibility of a L.A. lifestyle not solely predicated on driving to use this opportunity to rediscover Los Angeles by foot, bicycle and Metro.”

​Carmageddon special discounts ranging from 10 to 50 percent are part of Metro’s Destinations Discounts Program that gives Metro riders exclusive discounts to destinations throughout LA County. The program has been augmented with brand new destinations especially for Carmageddon weekend. Examples of discounts available at selected locations include:

​Some of the discounts available from major cultural venues include Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angelees, Artmageddon, and Hammer Museum.

​The discount program also applies to Metro’s Expresslanes project. Drivers will receive $4.05 in free tolls when they open a Metro Expresslanes FasTrack account on Sept. 29-30.

​Metro has also partnered with the bicycle groups Walk N Rollers and C.I.C.L.E. to support a bicycle rides on the Westside and San Fernando Valley.

​Metro Rail trains now run until approximately 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Angelenos can catch the overtime action, stay for the encore or take time for that bite to eat and still count on Metro for their ride home. Those using public transit can plan their trips with Metro’s Online Trip Planner at metro.net.

​Metro’s project partners are also involved in promoting local destinations. LA Tourism, for example, will be promoting local activities via the @discoverLA Twitter account using hashtag #405things. Before and during the 405 shutdown, LA Tourism will tweet 405 things to do during the weekend. The 405 things will include activities throughout the city, encouraging people to participate in events that are accessible on foot or using public transit.

​Metrolink remains a viable option to explore the region during the closure of the I-405. Metrolink recently launched a retention program that allows partnering businesses to offer discounts to Metrolink riders. This allows Metrolink to support local businesses, while rewarding the loyalty of valued customers. Please visit www.metrolinktrains.com/rewards to get a list of participating businesses.

​Metro encourages all interested businesses to offer their own “Carmageddon” specials the weekend of Sept. 29-30.

​To view all of the destination discounts and other event information available for Carmageddon weekend, visit metro.net/405.